Larsson focused on first team

Swede putting contract talks on the back burner

Last updated: 26th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Larsson focused on first team

Larsson: Focused

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Sebastian Larsson has insisted he is focused only on getting back into the Birmingham first team, although his long-term future is yet to be decided.

The club have exercised the option to extend the Sweden international's contract by a further 12 months, but there has so far been no agreement on whether he will stay at St. Andrews beyond that period.

Talks over a new deal broke down before the Blues' pre-season tour of China, which comes to an end on Wednesday.

Manager Alex McLeish has moved quickly to tie down his current squad, with Liam Ridgewell, Maik Taylor, Kevin Phillips, Stuart Parnaby, Keith Fahey, Barry Ferguson and Garry O'Connor all signing and skipper Stephen Carr also thought to be close.

Fierce competition

However, Larsson admitted he was more worried about beating the likes of Craig Gardner and Michel to a starting spot than contract talks.

"I'm a Birmingham player. I'm contracted to Birmingham and I want to play. I always give everything when I do. That's all there is to say," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"The competition is fierce. You look at the midfield now and there are so many options available to the manager.

"Michel and Craig Gardner have done very well in the games so far. They came here in January, have had six months to settle, and we can see how desperate they are to impress and get in the team. They are both very good footballers.

"We knew Michel was very good with the ball and now he is becoming more confident and expressing himself because he knows what to expect in the Premier League and what the manager wants.

"They're both like me in wanting to play. I just want to play. I will continue to work hard and hope the manager will pick me. But the competition is high."